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Steet Outlaws....good or bad?

8K views 34 replies 21 participants last post by  Duane 
#1 ·
What do you guys think the effect of this show is going to be on the average hot-rod guy, and the sport as a whole? I like that they're keeping things relatively safe by not screwing around in traffic, but they also seem to be gaining some unwanted attention from law enforcement by being on television.

I'm concerned about the average hobbyist getting more attention from local police because "they're not going to let anything like that happen on their turf". Any of you guys hear or see anything happening? Local wanna-be racers causing trouble, or guys getting hassled for nothing more than a car on a trailer?
 
#3 ·
We used to go to the "air port" in Del Norte when I was a kid late at night to race. I'm not sure if we were worried about safety or not getting caught, I think the police knew what we were doing but we never saw them out there. Hopefully the people watching aren't putting others in danger.
 
#4 · (Edited)
no worst then the fast and stupid shows did, they promoted racing in town , In traffic, and where there were side streets.

SOL'S is a lot better then that other stuff. At least it is drag racing!
 
#6 ·
I agree... after about 2-3 episodes I caught on to the show. it was kinda like the wrecker repo shows the wife made me watch.. after about 3 episodes I told her it looked like the fake wresteling shows I uded to watch as a kid.. she was so disgusted when I started show her all the fake hits and b/s that was going on with the show.she was BAMBOOZLED...LOL!!!!
 
#8 ·
Although they race under safe conditions most of those cars seem 'scary fast' for street racing, plus it's against the law. This may sound corny, but maybe if they tuned the show around and have these guys race on a santioned dragstrip a better example would delivered. Of course this won't happen with a reality show.
IMO... the show will eventually draw a bunch of young copy cats and someone will be killed and the cops and/or concerned parents will "make an example" and crack down on the rest of us.
 
#9 ·
I don't know if it will make street racing any bigger or more popular then it was before the show but if and when there is an arrest or accident the media and law enforcement will push the show as the cause for a "sudden rise" in problems. Get ready for "Street Outlaw" laws to be passed in the name of public safety.
 
#10 ·
I don't street race as I don't want to pay the price if I was busted. As far as people who watch a show and then want to do things, want a bees.
I have liked since I was a kid. Wanted to drag race once I had my own car. No tv show or movie moves me one way or another. Shows such as pass time only make me wish I was at the track not the couch watching.

I don't have cable or satellite TV. I stream the things I watch over the internet. I like to choose what I watch. In modern times I don't see how channels the way you know them will last. With programing to suit a model.

Oh on a side note never even heard of that show.:confused:
 
#19 ·
I enjoyed street racing in the 80's, mid 90's my street cars were 10 second runners, I won lots of money. Then a friend rolled his 427 Fairlane and came out of the car and died. I started a family and decided to be safe and just stick to the track. BoostedGT from the show is one of our locals, and working at the track, I've seen the times it runs, incredible for a car with less than 350 cubes, and small tires.
 
#34 ·
I agree with keeping the fast cars on the track. I doubt any of us would be into cars either, or making money off of Hot Rods if it were not for street racing. As for a the track being safe, the only death at Houston Motor Sport Park happened in a street truck, so you can die at a race track also. The ambulance on standby and safety crew is nice though. If two grown men want to line up, and are fully aware of what can happen, and nobody else, or property, is downrange, I could care less what piece of cement their on. The law in Texas does not apply at the race track, which I find very strange. Dead is Dead anyway you cut it.
 
#20 ·
Sure there's the thirty minute info-mercial "how-to" shows, and some auction based stuff, but none of that involves actual enthusiasts building and racing their cars. We can either watch shows that are trying to sell parts that most people can't afford, or shows about people buying and selling cars as commodities.

I like to watch those shows but they do need a dose of reality they built a "cheap affordable off road Jeep" and proceed to sink 40 grand into it.
 
#21 ·
street racing lives on

Long after this show is gone, street racing will still be going strong. Back in the day ( outside OKC ) we raced anything that we could get a-hold of. One ton oil field trucks ( complete with gin-poles and winches ), slant 6 Dodges, 11 sec Darts, Moms Grand Prix, Older brothers Mustang, Whatever. There wasn't anything better on those hot summer nights. We did run on long straight back-roads, just line up, run the 1/4 and wait for the next set. Man that brings back some good memories. Then off to Sonic for some burgers and cherry-vanilla Dr. Peppers. Good Times.
 
#22 ·
I live between Chicago and great lakes dragaway . All I can add is street racing even in Chicago is still alive and well I really don't think it's going away anytime soon . Chicago can't slow down the gunshots and murder rate much less street racing . its only mentioned when someone crashes and gets killed even then it's a one night news story and it disappears . Out here in the burbs and up into wisc there are so many roads that are empty for miles and unpatrolled its relatively safe as far as getting caught . Me wife family the whole deal dirt bikes tore me up so I started playing it a little safer .Might still exceed the posted limit on occasion but racing ? too much to lose , track for me but I might test here and there without paying the fee's to get in. :D
 
#24 ·
The show clearly has signs that they are not really on public roads when they race but I love the show, and as for the track I plan on running there when my build is done, and I also see why people race on private roads where there is no traffic, the tracks have to many rules too, I understand it is for safety reasons and insurance purpose, but not having to obey rules and put roll cages in cars that are street strip cars when they don't want them in there for what ever reason I do understand that too, as long as there is ridiculous laws and rules people are going to break the rules and laws they don't agree with, as I see it there is nothing wrong with racing on a road with no traffic it's a risk like any other risk and that should be each persons own decision....

The society of today are for wimps to many rules just like football I remember when it used to be fun watching the qb get his clock cleaned now you can barley touch him!!!!

Let each person make there own decisions and stop babysitting us with fines and court rooms we don't want it!!!!!!!!!!!!

But its the dumb asses that do race in front of houses and on highways where there is traffic present these clowns ruin it for us all, and those are the idiots that help make these stupid rules and laws present today!!!
 
#32 ·
The show clearly has signs that they are not really on public roads when they race but I love the show, and as for the track I plan on running there when my build is done, and I also see why people race on private roads where there is no traffic, the tracks have to many rules too, I understand it is for safety reasons and insurance purpose, but not having to obey rules and put roll cages in cars that are street strip cars when they don't want them in there for what ever reason I do understand that too, as long as there is ridiculous laws and rules people are going to break the rules and laws they don't agree with, as I see it there is nothing wrong with racing on a road with no traffic it's a risk like any other risk and that should be each persons own decision....

The society of today are for wimps to many rules just like football I remember when it used to be fun watching the qb get his clock cleaned now you can barley touch him!!!!

Let each person make there own decisions and stop babysitting us with fines and court rooms we don't want it!!!!!!!!!!!!

But its the dumb asses that do race in front of houses and on highways where there is traffic present these clowns ruin it for us all, and those are the idiots that help make these stupid rules and laws present today!!!

I agree 100%.

I like the show even though most of it is staged.I'm kinda glad it is because i feel it is safer than actually racing on a road w/live traffic. As far as being bad for Drag racing,No not really. And as far as the Local PoPo watching everyone in every town closer,No.I have a buddy that I race with thats a City cop and he hadn't even watched the show. Us gearheads are the only ones watching it,even I don't usually catch it live,I DVR it and watch back/back epesodes.
 
#25 · (Edited)
I almost ran a couple down in 1986 while street racing....I complain about life but can you imagine what it would have been? thank the lord for someones elses reaction. gt300td you got it right. fordmanmatt I see you live in brainerd. it cost 25 bucks to go down the track on Wednesdays. in minnesota we have tons of off road, snowmobile races, and ice races. rant over. bob
 
#27 ·
I'm beginning to wonder about the show a bit. Granted they have some bad a$$ cars BUT last week they went to California and totally destroyed all of Californias best. The week before they did the same to the Drag Week guys, the Drag Week cars??? In one episode they went to run on a local 'unprepared' track. it did look pretty bad. Big Chief stated that some of the worst streets he has raced on were better than the track. Then Tina wrecked her truck at the end of a race. Wonder why the track would let supposed 8 second cars run when the track was so 'slippery'?????? Just sayin'!
 
#28 ·
Got to say I like the show from an entertainment standpoint, but no doubt it's all staged. That's ok though.... It's a TV show and it should be looked upon as such. It's about as true to life as Mr. Ed. I haven't street raced since the '80s so watching the show has brought me up to speed with today's street racers. Apparently in today's world all you need to be a top notch street racer is a backwards hat, hoodie, cargo shorts, and act like a total douche. Seems easy enough.
 
#33 ·
the track staff wanted to prep it, the racers threw a damn fit though. They swept the dirt off and away we went.

The show has done wonders for our track as well as all the speed shops etc.

Ive bust Chiefs balls on letting be on the show with no luck. I just hope to get along side a few of them at some no preps races and try and make a statemnt lol.
 
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